Published on:
31
August 2010
A new exhibition, Glass at the Glass Works: a Celebration of Glassmaking, will open on Friday 3rd September at O-I Manufacturing UK Limited.
This special exhibition, which will run until 30th September, has been created by Clackmannanshire Council's Museum and Heritage Service to coincide with the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the start of commercial glassmaking in Scotland in 1610. There will also be daily tours of O-I throughout the showing of the exhibition.
The exhibition will look at various aspects of glass and glassmaking through the centuries, including its ancient origins, stained glass and Bohemian glass engravers in Alloa. It will also focus on the story of the Alloa Glass Works and will reveal new evidence about the start of the works, previously thought to have been founded by Lady Frances Erskine in 1750. The Glass Works, which now operates as O-I Manufacturing UK Limited, has been working almost continuously on the same site since it was founded in the 18th century and is the oldest in Britain to do so. Finally, the importance of recycling glass today will be examined.
There will be a range of glass on display from public and private collections, including replicas of early Frankish glass goblets; stained glass, early wine bottles and other products of Alloa Glass Works from the Museum and Heritage Service collection, on loan from the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum and the O-I collection, as well as contemporary glass made by students from Edinburgh College of Art and professional makers.
This special exhibition is being shown through the generosity of O-I Manufacturing UK Limited, which has also arranged daily tours of the Glass Works throughout the exhibition.
Depute Leader, Councillor Bobby McGill, said: "Glass is an amazing material that we take pretty much for granted, so this is a great opportunity to learn more about it and celebrate it in a place which has actually been making glass for well over 200 years. It is also a rare chance for everyone to see how the modern glass works operates today, so I would encourage everyone to come along, see the exhibition and go on a tour. We are also hoping that people who work in the glass works or have worked there in the past will visit and will share their memories with the museum and heritage service. It would be very interesting to see photographs and anything which people might have."
The exhibition will be open at the following times:
3rd - 30th September (except Sundays)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 12noon until 5pm
*Guided tours of the glass works at 1.30pm and 3pm
Tuesday and Thursday 12noon until 7pm
*Guided tours of the glass works at 1.30pm and 5.30pm
All visitors must report to the Gatehouse, Glasshouse Loan, Alloa FK10 1PD.
Visitors with mobility difficulties should note, however, that it is being shown on an upper floor to which there is no lift access.
Closed Sundays
The guided tours must be booked in advance as numbers are limited and subject to availability. Stout footwear and sensible clothing must be worn and extra protective clothing will be issued. The tours are not suitable for young children (under 10) and people with mobility difficulties.
For more information and to book tours please contact Susan Mills at Clackmannanshire Council Museum and Heritage Service, on 01259 216913 or email smills@clacks.gov.uk